Easy Chicken Noodle Soup – The Ultimate Comfort Food Made Simple

Few dishes warm the soul quite like easy chicken noodle soup. It’s the recipe you turn to when someone is sick, when the weather turns cold, or when you crave the soothing nostalgia of homemade comfort food. This version is simple, quick, and loaded with classic flavors—tender chicken, hearty vegetables, soft egg noodles, and a fragrant broth that tastes like it simmered all day even though it comes together fast.

Whether you’re a beginner cook or an experienced home chef looking for a dependable soup recipe, this one hits all the marks: straightforward ingredients, a short cooking time, and amazing results every single time.

This full guide will walk you through ingredients, techniques, variations, tips, and everything you need to make the perfect pot of chicken noodle soup at home.

Why This Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Is the Best

• Ready in under an hour
• Family-friendly flavors
• Uses pantry ingredients
• Perfect texture balance—brothy yet hearty
• Works with rotisserie chicken for extra convenience
• Soothing, hydrating, and nourishing

This recipe delivers classic chicken noodle soup flavor without complicated steps or long simmering times.

Ingredients Breakdown

Chicken

You can use:

• cooked shredded chicken
• leftover roasted chicken
• rotisserie chicken (the easiest option)

Using pre-cooked chicken makes this recipe incredibly fast.

Vegetables

The classic trio—carrots, celery, and onions—adds flavor, texture, and color.

Egg Noodles

Traditional wide egg noodles cook quickly and hold up perfectly in broth.

Broth

Chicken broth or stock forms the base. Use low-sodium so you can season to taste.

Herbs & Seasonings

Parsley, thyme, bay leaves, garlic, salt, and pepper create the familiar comforting flavor.

Ingredients

Soup

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 2 cups wide egg noodles
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Sauté the vegetables:
   Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
2. Add garlic:
   Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in broth:
   Add chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer:
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10–12 minutes until vegetables are tender.
5. Add noodles:
   Stir in egg noodles and cook 7–10 minutes until tender.
6. Add chicken:
   Stir in shredded chicken and simmer 3 minutes to heat through.
7. Finish:
   Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning.
8. Serve:
   Ladle into bowls and top with fresh parsley.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

A classic, comforting chicken noodle soup made with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and soft egg noodles in a flavorful broth—ready in under an hour.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 bowls

Course: Dinner, Soup

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 210

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Soup Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 onion diced
• 3 carrots sliced
• 3 celery stalks sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 2 cups wide egg noodles
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• Large pot
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes until vegetables are tender.
5. Add egg noodles and cook 7–10 minutes until tender.
6. Stir in shredded chicken and simmer 3 minutes to heat through.
7. Remove bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning.
8. Serve hot topped with fresh parsley.

Notes

For meal prep, cook noodles separately and add when serving.

Expert Tips for Perfect Chicken Noodle Soup

1. Add noodles at the end

Noodles can become mushy if left too long in broth.

2. Use rotisserie chicken

It saves time and adds extra flavor.

3. Don’t over-simmer

Vegetables will break down if simmered too long.

4. Add lemon juice

A small splash of lemon brightens the broth beautifully.

5. Make it ahead

If storing for later, cook noodles separately and add when serving.

Variations

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk at the end.

Chicken Noodle Soup With Vegetables

Add peas, spinach, corn, or green beans.

Herb Chicken Noodle Soup

Use rosemary, dill, or Italian seasoning.

Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

Swap egg noodles for orzo and add lemon zest.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Replace noodles with cheese tortellini for a heartier version.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your soup with:

• crusty bread
• biscuits
• grilled cheese
• a fresh salad
• saltine or oyster crackers

For presentation:

• sprinkle parsley
• crack fresh pepper
• add a lemon wedge on the bowl’s edge

Storage & Freezing

Refrigerate:

3–4 days.

Freeze (without noodles):

Up to 3 months.

Reheat:

Simmer gently; add fresh noodles when serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use uncooked chicken?

Yes — simmer raw chicken breasts in the broth 20–25 minutes, then shred.

Can I use a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Add noodles during the final 20 minutes.

Should I cook noodles separately?

For meal prep or freezing, yes.